Parables Of The Bible

The parables of the Bible are simple yet powerful stories that teach deeper spiritual truths and help us understand God, faith and how we should live. Jesus often used everyday situations, people and experiences to communicate important lessons about the Kingdom of God, forgiveness, love, mercy, faithfulness and repentance. Stories such as the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, the Sower and the Lost Sheep may be familiar, but each contains lessons that can speak to us in different ways depending on where we are in life. The parables encourage us not simply to hear God’s Word, but to think about it, apply it to our own lives and allow it to shape the way we treat God and others.

EARLY GALILEAN MINISTRY

New Cloth on an Old Garment – Matthew 9:16

New Wine in Old Wineskins – Matthew 9:17

The Wise and Foolish Builders – Matthew 7:24–27

The Creditor and Two Debtors – Luke 7:41–43

The Sower – Matthew 13:3–9

The Wheat and the Tares – Matthew 13:24–30

The Mustard Seed – Matthew 13:31–32

The Leaven – Matthew 13:33

The Hidden Treasure – Matthew 13:44

The Pearl of Great Price – Matthew 13:45–46

The Dragnet – Matthew 13:47–50

The Householder – Matthew 13:52

The Lamp Under a Basket – Mark 4:21–25

The Growing Seed – Mark 4:26–29

MID-MINISTRY: TEACHING AND DISCIPLESHIP

The Two Sons – Matthew 21:28–32

The Lost Sheep – Matthew 18:12–14

The Unforgiving Servant – Matthew 18:23–35

The Good Samaritan – Luke 10:30–37

The Friend at Midnight – Luke 11:5–8

The Strong Man – Luke 11:21–22

The Rich Fool – Luke 12:16–21

The Watchful Servants – Luke 12:35–40

The Faithful and Wise Steward – Luke 12:42–48

The Barren Fig Tree – Luke 13:6–9

The Great Banquet – Luke 14:16–24

The Tower Builder – Luke 14:28–30

The King Going to War – Luke 14:31–33

LATE GALILEAN / PEREAN MINISTRY

The Lost Coin – Luke 15:8–10

The Prodigal Son – Luke 15:11–32

The Shrewd Manager – Luke 16:1–9

The Rich Man and Lazarus – Luke 16:19–31

The Persistent Widow – Luke 18:1–8

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector – Luke 18:9–14

The Minas – Luke 19:11–27

The Workers in the Vineyard – Matthew 20:1–16

JERUSALEM & PASSION-WEEK TEACHING

The Two Sons (Obedience) – Matthew 21:28–32

The Wicked Tenants – Matthew 21:33–46

The Wedding Banquet – Matthew 22:1–14

The Fig Tree (Signs of the Times) – Matthew 24:32–35

The Faithful and Wicked Servants – Matthew 24:45–51

The Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1–13

The Talents – Matthew 25:14–30

The Sheep and the Goats – Matthew 25:31–46

SHORT PARABLES & SIMILITUDES

Salt of the Earth – Matthew 5:13

Light of the World – Matthew 5:14–16

The Eye as the Lamp – Matthew 6:22–23

Children in the Marketplace – Matthew 11:16–19

The Empty House – Matthew 12:43–45

The Reed and the Wind – Matthew 11:7–9

The Fish and the Coin – Matthew 17:24–27

The Master and the Servant – Luke 17:7–10

The Doorkeeper – Mark 13:34–37

The Seed Falling on Good Soil (Explanation) – Matthew 13:18–23

The House Swept Clean – Luke 11:24–26

The Lamp on a Stand – Luke 8:16–18

The Fig Tree Learns Its Lesson – Luke 21:29–31

The Wise Householder – Matthew 24:43–44

The Thief in the Night – Matthew 24:43

The Owner of the Vineyard – Mark 12:1–12

The Servants Waiting for Their Master – Luke 12:36

KINGDOM & DISCIPLESHIP IMAGERY

The Net (Kingdom Sorting) – Matthew 13:47–50

The Treasure Brought Out New and Old – Matthew 13:52

The Seed and the Harvest – John 4:35–38

The Vine and the Branches – John 15:1–8

The Woman in Labour – John 16:21

The Good Shepherd – John 10:1–18

The Door of the Sheep – John 10:7–9

The Grain of Wheat – John 12:24

The Servant Not Greater Than His Master – John 13:16

The Childbirth of the Kingdom – John 16:21–22

Chronological Teaching Chart

Parable Scripture Reference

1 Wise & Foolish Builders	Matthew 7:24–27
2 New Cloth on Old Garment	Matthew 9:16
3 New Wine in Old Wineskins	Matthew 9:17
4 Two Debtors	Luke 7:41–43
5 Lamp Under a Basket	Mark 4:21–25
6 The Sower	Matthew 13:3–9
7 The Wheat and the Tares	Matthew 13:24–30
8 Mustard Seed	Matthew 13:31–32
9 Leaven	Matthew 13:33
10 Hidden Treasure	Matthew 13:44
11 Pearl of Great Price	Matthew 13:45–46
12 The Net (Dragnet)	Matthew 13:47–50
13 Householder (New & Old)	Matthew 13:52
14 Growing Seed	Mark 4:26–29
15 Lost Sheep	Matthew 18:12–14
16 Unforgiving Servant	Matthew 18:23–35
17 Two Sons (Obedience)	Matthew 21:28–32
18 Good Samaritan	Luke 10:30–37
19 Friend at Midnight	Luke 11:5–8
20 Strong Man	Luke 11:21–22
21 Rich Fool	Luke 12:16–21
22 Watchful Servants	Luke 12:35–40
23 Faithful & Wise Steward	Luke 12:42–48
24 Barren Fig Tree	Luke 13:6–9
25 Great Banquet	Luke 14:16–24
26 Tower Builder	Luke 14:28–30
27 King Going to War	Luke 14:31–33
28 Lost Coin	Luke 15:8–10
29 Prodigal Son	Luke 15:11–32
30 Shrewd Manager	Luke 16:1–9
31 Rich Man & Lazarus	Luke 16:19–31
32 Master & Servant	Luke 17:7–10
33 Persistent Widow	Luke 18:1–8
34 Pharisee & Tax Collector	Luke 18:9–14
35 Workers in the Vineyard	Matthew 20:1–16
36 Minas	Luke 19:11–27
37 Wicked Tenants	Matthew 21:33–46
38 Wedding Banquet	Matthew 22:1–14
39 Fig Tree (Signs)	Matthew 24:32–35
40 Faithful & Wicked Servants	Matthew 24:45–51
41 Ten Virgins	Matthew 25:1–13
42 Talents	Matthew 25:14–30
43 Sheep & Goats	Matthew 25:31–46
44 Salt of the Earth	Matthew 5:13
45 Light of the World	Matthew 5:14–16
46 Eye as the Lamp	Matthew 6:22–23
47 Children in the Marketplace	Matthew 11:16–19
48 Empty House	Matthew 12:43–45
49 Reed Shaken by Wind	Matthew 11:7–9
50 Fish & the Coin	Matthew 17:24–27
51 Doorkeeper	Mark 13:34–37
52 Thief in the Night	Matthew 24:43–44
53 Wise Householder	Matthew 24:43
54 Servants Waiting	Luke 12:36
55 Lamp on a Stand	Luke 8:16–18
56 Fig Tree Lesson	Luke 21:29–31
57 Seed & Harvest	John 4:35–38
58 Good Shepherd	John 10:1–18
59 Door of the Sheep	John 10:7–9
60 Grain of Wheat	John 12:24
61 Vine & the Branches	John 15:1–8
62 Woman in Labour	John 16:21
63 Servant Not Greater	John 13:16
64 Children & the Kingdom	Mark 10:14–15
65 Wise & Faithful Servant	Luke 12:42
66 The Net (Kingdom Sorting)	Matthew 13:47
67 Treasure New & Old	Matthew 13:52
68 Servants & Authority	Luke 19:12–15
69 Childbirth Joy	John 16:21–22
70 Master Returning Home	Mark 13:35–36

14-Day Bible Reading Plan: The Parables of the Bible

The parables of Jesus use familiar situations and everyday experiences to reveal deeper truths about God, His Kingdom, faith and the way we should live. Over these 14 days, explore some of Jesus’ best-known parables and consider what each one teaches us about following Him.

Day 1: The Parable of the Sower	Bible reading: Matthew 13:1–23	Jesus describes four different types of soil, representing different responses to God’s Word. The parable challenges us to consider what kind of soil our own hearts are.	Reflection: How receptive am I to God’s Word?
Day 2: The Parable of the Good Samaritan	Bible reading: Luke 10:25–37	Jesus uses the story of a wounded man and an unexpected helper to demonstrate what it truly means to love our neighbour.	Reflection: Who might God be asking me to show love and compassion towards?
Day 3: The Parable of the Prodigal Son	Bible reading: Luke 15:11–32	A son leaves home, wastes his inheritance and eventually returns to his father. The father’s response reveals a powerful picture of forgiveness, grace and God’s love.	Reflection: What does this parable teach me about God’s willingness to forgive?
Day 4: The Parable of the Lost Sheep	Bible reading: Luke 15:1–7	Jesus tells of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for one that is lost. It shows the value God places on every individual.	Reflection: Do I recognise how valuable every person is to God?
Day 5: The Parable of the Lost Coin	Bible reading: Luke 15:8–10	A woman searches carefully for a lost coin and celebrates when she finds it. Jesus uses this simple story to illustrate the joy associated with someone being brought back to God.	Reflection: How does this parable change the way I think about people who feel lost?
Day 6: The Parable of the Rich Fool	Bible reading: Luke 12:13–21	A wealthy man focuses on storing up possessions for himself but fails to consider what truly matters.	Reflection: What things can distract me from what is important to God?
Day 7: The Parable of the Mustard Seed	Bible reading: Matthew 13:31–32	Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a tiny mustard seed that grows into something much larger.	Reflection: Where have I seen something small grow into something significant?
Day 8: The Parable of the Hidden Treasure	Bible reading: Matthew 13:44	Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to treasure hidden in a field. Discovering its value changes everything for the person who finds it.	Reflection: How valuable is God’s Kingdom to me?
Day 9: The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price	Bible reading: Matthew 13:45–46	A merchant searching for valuable pearls discovers one of extraordinary worth and sells everything to obtain it.	Reflection: What does this parable teach me about the value of knowing God?
Day 10: The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant	Bible reading: Matthew 18:21–35	Jesus tells of a servant who receives enormous forgiveness but refuses to forgive another person’s much smaller debt.	Reflection: Is there someone I need to forgive?
Day 11: The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard	Bible reading: Matthew 20:1–16	Workers who arrive at different times receive the same payment. Jesus challenges our understanding of fairness, generosity and God’s grace.	Reflection: Do I sometimes compare what God gives me with what He gives others?
Day 12: The Parable of the Ten Virgins	Bible reading: Matthew 25:1–13	Ten bridesmaids wait for the bridegroom, but only five are prepared when he arrives.	Reflection: Am I prepared and spiritually watchful?
Day 13: The Parable of the Talents	Bible reading: Matthew 25:14–30	Three servants are entrusted with different amounts while their master is away. The parable encourages us to use faithfully what God has entrusted to us.	Reflection: What gifts, abilities and opportunities has God entrusted to me?
Day 14: The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector	Bible reading: Luke 18:9–14	Two men pray in the temple. One boasts about his righteousness, while the other humbly asks God for mercy. Jesus shows the importance of humility before God.	Reflection: Do I approach God with humility, recognising my need for His grace?

Conclusion

The parables may be short stories, but their lessons can have a lasting impact. They challenge us to examine our hearts, our priorities, our relationships and our response to God. Some encourage us to show greater love and forgiveness, while others warn us against pride, selfishness and being spiritually unprepared. As you continue reading the Bible, don’t simply ask what happened in each parable; ask what Jesus is teaching you through it and how that teaching can be put into practice.

Final Reflection Questions

• Which parable spoke to you most strongly during these 14 days?
• What have the parables taught you about God’s character?
• Which parable challenged your attitude or behaviour?
• Is there a lesson from one of these parables that you need to put into practice?
• How have these stories changed your understanding of the Kingdom of God?
• Which parable would you like to study more deeply?

Explore

Bible Project – Decoding the Parables

https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/decoding-parables